Westerville in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Otterbein College

By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008

1. Otterbein College Marker

Inscription. This historic college opened in1847 as Oterbein University of Ohio, named for Philip William Otterbein (1726–1813), a founder of the Church of the Brethren in Christ. The church later merged with the Evangelical Church to become the United Methodist Church. Otterbein was one of the first colleges in the United States to open its doors to persons of color and women without restrictions on what they could study. While Otterbein’s educational offering have evolved over the years to meet society’s needs, the college has remained committed to the liberal arts as the foundation of all learning.

Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the International Paper Company, The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 66-25.)

Location. 40° 7.563′ N, 82° 56.184′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is on West Main Street west of Grove Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Westerville OH 43081, United States of America.

Also see . . . History of Otterbein College. “Otterbein was among the first coeducational colleges in America, and probably the first college in the United States to be founded as coeducational and to admit women to the same programs of study as male students. Its first two graduates were females. From its opening, Otterbein employed female faculty members, and it was probably the first college to do so. Otterbein was also one of the first three colleges in the United States to be open to students of color, and College historians have argued that it deserves to be considered the first to be

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia. This page has been viewed 855 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia.